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Fiscal Year 2010 Budget

FY 2010 Adopted Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program

On April 27, the Alexandria City Council adopted a $530 million General Fund Operating Budget for FY 2010, a 2.2% decrease of $12 million from FY 2009. The FY 2009 real estate tax rate of 84.5 cents per $100 of assessed value was raised by 5.8 cents to 90.3 cents. The average homeowner’s taxes will increase by $76 annually.

Revenue and expenditure changes from the City Manager’s approved budget include:

Restoration of $610,000 for social safety net programs in the Health Department, Human Services Department and the Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Department.

Authorization of a cigarette tax increase of 10 cents per pack, which is expected to generate $400,000 next year.

Restoration of $287,000 for economic development priorities to assist the City’s residents and businesses during the economic downturn.

Allocation of funds for Capital Improvement Program projects, including the James Polk Elementary School Gymnasium ($1,400,000); DASH bus replacement ($600,000); and street and sidewalk repair ($200,000).

Maintenance of current public safety spending levels for the Alexandria Police, Fire, and Sheriff Departments.

Addition of $455,000 for a homeownership assistance program to help low-income residents purchase distressed properties.

The FY 2010 budget includes the following reductions:

One hundred and seventeen positions were cut from the City’s workforce.

Employee salaries have been frozen.

The City transfer to the Schools was decreased by 2%, or $3.4 million, but still meets the revised School Board request for City funds. Thirty-one percent of the General Fund budget is provided for the Schools.

City Council Retreat

The Alexandria City Council held their annual retreat on Saturday, October 25, 2008 to discuss the City's economic outlook, Fiscal Year (FY) spending reduction plans, and priorities for the FY 2010 budget.